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Causation Actually, J. S. Dillbary

Georgia Law Review

This Article debunks the consensus that in concerted
action, concurrent causes, and alternative liability
situations, the actual causation requirement is always
missing. While courts and scholars insist that in these
cases tort law holds liable parties who clearly did not
cause the victim's harm, this Article offers a novel
approach. Using a simple model and applying it to
leading decisions, this Article shows that a party who did
not and could not even potentially injure the victim could
nevertheless be a but-for reason for the harm. The Article
also challenges claims that causation theories like
concerted action, substantial factor and …